Today's News

LELAND—The North Brunswick High School JROTC is considered one of the most highly respected battalions in the area.

The students have maintained their Honor Unit with Distinction status for the 12th straight year following the annual formal inspection on Wednesday, Nov. 12.

Cadets are individually inspected to make sure each uniform is cleaned and pressed, shoes are shined, and each ribbon and pin is in its proper place. Random questions are asked to cadets regarding areas such as ranks, titles and routines.

BOLIVIA—Two Oak Island men have been charged with breaking into several homes in Bolivia and Southport between Nov. 6 and Nov.19.

Dustin Lynn Hensley, 24, of 311 NE 61st St., has been charged with five counts of felonious breaking and entering, three counts of larceny, four counts of felony conspiracy, three counts of felony possession of stolen goods and assault by pointing a gun. Hensley remained in custody at the Brunswick County Detention Center under a $125,000 secured bond.

James Alfonzo Gause has been convicted of possession of cocaine and being a habitual felon. Last week, Superior Court Judge Gary Locklear sentenced Gause, 38, to 10 years and four months in N.C. Department of Corrections.

Assistant district attorney Chris Thomas said a jury deliberated for 40 minutes for the cocaine possession charge and six minutes for the habitual felon charge.

Playing their second game in two nights—and after returning home around midnight from the first game Nov. 20 in Bladenboro—the West Brunswick High School girls basketball team beat the Fairmont Tornadoes 55-42 Friday night at West.

The Trojans displayed an energetic defense and a teamwork-oriented offense. Two players scored at least 11 points: Sheena Suttlemyre had 16 points (and six rebounds, four steals and two assists). Breana Gause had 11 points (and seven rebounds).

With colder water temperatures dictating inshore fishing, local anglers’ focus has fallen primarily on red drum and speckled trout.

Of the two, redfish are already making a terrific showing while specks are popping up in their usual hit-or-miss style. Meanwhile, black drum are also being caught in many different locations and will probably be available no matter how cold the water gets.

Last week I attended the 2008 Carolinas Golf Course Superintendents Conference and Trade Show in Myrtle Beach.

This is a four-day event that includes a golf tournament, seminars, exhibits, meetings and receptions. Because the Carolinas section of the Golf Course Superintendent’s Association is the largest in the country, the Myrtle Beach, S.C., conference is second only to the national one, which will take place Feb. 2-7 in New Orleans.

At 9 a.m. Monday, N.C. 179 between Ocean Isle Beach and Shallotte will be closed to traffic for the next six months as the North Carolina Department Of Transportation begins bridge replacement work at Jennies Branch.

Traffic will be diverted to a detour on Hale Swamp Road, according to the NCDOT office in Wilmington.

Signs will be posted to direct motorists to the alternate route.

Local residents along 179 will have access to their homes but will have to use the detour instead of the bridge.